C. COCO De YOUNG

How wonderful it is to visit other Toastmaster clubs. I am spending a great deal of time in Boston these days, and to date, visited both the DEP Toastmasters and Copley Toastmasters. After a one-mile walk to the Copley Toastmasters Club, I attended their meeting in the Parish House of the historic Trinity Church. Though not affiliated with the church, the club’s meeting place is a true gift. I was able to take time to tour the church after the meeting. Thank you, DEP Toastmasters and Copley Toastmasters, for your warm hospitality.

Heartfelt thanks to those who had a hand in creating delicious memories at the Women's Writing Retreat in the Adirondacks. I was truly a “mountain mama” relishing in the long, deep breaths of fresh air, and listening for the cry of the loon as the lakeside water lapped gently along the grassy bank. On the other side of the screened-in porch the whisper (more…)

Over the past year, I had the distinct honor of serving 23 Toastmaster clubs as the Division A Governor in District 53. Yes, there was a great deal of traveling, a good amount of paper work, a massive amount of pre-planning, but oh, how much I learned in the process. As I visited all 23 clubs, I was treated like royalty and didn’t even need to wear a crown! More so, it was what each club showed me in return...quality meetings, interesting speeches, perseverance when membership takes a hit, and the tenacity to keep moving forward when the club president and venue are gone without forewarning.

Thank you, my fellow Toastmasters. I hold my hard-earned DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) status in high regard, for each and every one of you helped along the way as you shared and showed by example what true leadership is all about. I know you will do the same for the 2011-12 Division A Governor.

Organized by Dr. Darla Shaw (at microphone), Western Connecticut State University presented an evening in honor of women in history. I was asked to tell the story of how Eleanor Roosevelt became a champion to the Coco family during the era of the Great Depression.